Media release – Sarah Courtney, Minister for Tourism, Hospitality and Events, 19 November 2021
Changes to our Safe Events and Activities Framework
As we progress towards reopening our borders on December 15, I welcome the Premier’s announcement today that Public Health has reviewed our events framework and the rules and limits around dancing and standing drinking.
As we move towards the reopening of our borders, I’m pleased that the current restrictions on patron caps for indoor (currently 100 patrons) and outdoor drinking (currently 250 patrons) and dancing will be lifted on the basis that patrons and staff are fully vaccinated. This will apply for patrons from 6 December and for staff from 15 December.
For events, this means that if you have an approved limit of 5,000 people, every one of those attending can stand up and drink or dance, so long as patrons and staff are fully vaccinated.
For pubs and clubs, the caps on dancing and stand-up drinking will be lifted for both indoors and outdoors, as long as patrons and also staff are fully vaccinated. The two square metre rule will continue to apply.
This does not apply to restaurants or pubs where there are sit-down meals only, rather than dancing and limited stand-up drinking.
The Tasmanian Government has followed Public Health advice since the start of the pandemic and our approach has been focused on keeping Tasmanians safe.
As we head into summer and reopen our borders, I know that this announcement today will provide event organisers and the hospitality sector with further optimism and certainty.
We know that COVID-19 has presented many challenges and uncertainties for our tourism, hospitality, and events sector and I encourage everyone to get out and about, and importantly follow the rules, so we can all safely enjoy our world-class produce and unique homegrown events over the summer period.
Anita Dow MP, Shadow Health Minister, 19 November 2021
Confidence key to COVID preparation
With the December 15 border reopening date now under a month away, it is vital Tasmanians have confidence the systems in place are ready for reopening.
Shadow Health Minister Anita Dow said Labor welcomed the clarity provided by the Premier today and urged it to continue.
“We are less than a month away from COVID entering the state and at this time clarity and information is key,” Ms Dow said.
“It is reassuring the Premier has outlined the processes surrounding airport vaccination checks and also what happens to individuals if they break these rules, but it is critical this clarity continues.
“Information instils confidence and trust, which is crucial at this time and without clear communication it is hard to have trust in the systems in place.
“We are entering a period of significant change in Tasmania and people understandably have questions about what life will be like when we have COVID in our community.”
Ms Dow said Labor will continue to raise important questions on behalf of our communities regarding the reopening plan and rather than label them as politics, the Premier should do what he can to provide answers.
“The community has every right to raise questions about reopening and seek further advice.
“Businesses and workers will need support, clear guidance and information as they undertake risk assessments and consider vaccination across their workplace.
“It is also vital people know how health care will be provided in our communities, regional hospitals and at our major hospitals when we have COVID cases, along with making sure we get as many Tasmanians vaccinated as we can.
“The vaccine incentives announced today are certainly welcome, however parents will play a critical role in getting our young people vaccinated.
“We are at one of the most critical stages in this pandemic and the government needs to provide the clarity and information Tasmanians require to have confidence the systems we have in place will work when COVID is in our community.”
Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP | Greens Health spokesperson, 19 November 2021
Premier Backtracking on Public Health Commitments
Premier Peter Gutwein has said on numerous occasions he will not be pressured to open the borders, but as 15th December approaches he is abandoning some of his previous public health commitments. With approximately one quarter of all Tasmanians not expected to be fully vaccinated by then, there is concern and confusion in the community about the government’s mixed messages and safeguards.
The Premier has previously assured Tasmanians all 12 to 15 year olds would be fully vaccinated by the time borders open. But with four weeks to go, vaccine data indicate we’ll only be able to double-dose vaccinate 67% of these vulnerable young people. New plans to boost vaccination rates for teenagers now are coming far too late to change that situation.
By our calculations, in mid-December nearly a quarter of all Tasmanians will not be fully vaccinated. That group includes all children under 12, and represents a significant potential for the coronavirus delta variant to circulate in the community.
The Government has not given any indication it is prioritising the vaccination of school-aged children when the expected announcement to green-light vaccines for 5-11 year olds is given by the Commonwealth in January.
The Premier has today walked back from yesterday’s statement about only requiring “spot checks” of travellers’ vaccination status upon arrival from 15th December, but numerous questions remain about his government’s commitment and ability to properly resource Biosecurity to keep pace with the torrent of incoming visitors.
Waning immunity, and the potential for infection and transmission of the virus among fully vaccinated people, are other important considerations not addressed. Nor has how the hospital system will cope in the event of a large outbreak – despite constant questions being raised by healthcare workers, the Greens, and others.
To this point in the pandemic, the Premier has been guided by the public health advice in making decisions to keep Tasmanians safe. Despite assurances otherwise, it seems the federal push to open borders for Christmas is overriding some of his previously stated public health commitments, and Tasmanians are rightly asking why.
The Premier has a duty to outline his plans for protecting children and vulnerable people, to resource the public health safety measures needed to prevent an epidemic of COVID-19 occurring in Tasmania, and to increase investment in health system staffing prior to 15 December.
